It’s that time of year, folks, the time where the P2 crew sit around the proverbial campfire and argues over the highs and lows of the year. That’s right, it is award season. Join us as we take a look at what excited, surprised and disappointed us in 2025. It’s now our chance to congratulate our favourite locally grown products with the Best Aussie Game.
The 2025 P2 Game Awards - Best Aussie Game
Jason Hawkins - Hollow Knight: Silksong
Maybe this should be the biggest surprise, that Hollow Knight: Silksong both released and was actually really good. The weight of expectations on this game being amazing was huge, and I think Team Cherry have pretty much stuck the landing.
There’s an artistry to the design too. Hornet is faster than The Knight from the original, but players are also better at the game because they’ve likely played a bunch of the series before. To combat this, the game is harder. This might not be for everyone, but coming from games like Monster Hunter: Wilds, it’s refreshing to be adequately tested against my experience level.
Stephen del Prado - The Drifter
A classic throwback to the heady days of Point and Click adventures, The Drifter is stylish and compelling with a pulsing soundtrack, atmospheric visuals and balanced puzzles. I really hope Powerhoof have a follow-up in the works as I’d love to see more of this genre from them, even if The Drifter itself feels like a complete package. For more thoughts, you could check out my review here on Player 2, but I’ll reiterate that The Drifter is a great way to spend an evening or two, so keep an eye out for it on Steam!
Shaun Nicholls - Hollow Knight: Silksong
I think that for quite a lot of people, and especially those who enjoy the Metroidvania genre, will have to say that there is only one true contender for Best Aussie game of the year. Coming 8 years after the release of Hollow Knight and more than a couple of years after it was first announced in 2019, there was a high chance that it would not live up to the lofty standard set by its predecessor. Fortunately, Team Cherry has once again crafted a wonderfully beautiful and brutally challenging experience, proving the magic achieved in Hollow Knight was not a one-off.
Jenn Christodoulou - Dinkum
You know what I love? Animal Crossing. You know what else I love? Australia. So smash these things together, and you bet I’m gonna love Dinkum! Dinkum released out of early access this year, and I feel like it’s come so far since it first dropped (that sweet, sweet Krafton money probably helps a ton too).
It’s not often we Aussies get to see our country reflected in a video game, so I always love it whenever it happens. Even tiny little things like seeing Christmas lights and decor in my town during Summer are such a small thing that makes me feel recognised.
Paul James - Hollow Knight: Silksong
I’ve still not given Hollow Knight: Silksong as much of my time as I should have, but don’t worry, I’ll get there. Despite that though, it is so clearly head and shoulders above every other game that came out of our great country this year that it’s not funny, and it’s pretty damn close to being the Best Indie and ultimate Game Of The Year as well as far as I’m concerned. Team Cherry have been cooking on this one for a very long time, but they didn’t overdo it, no, the meal was served to us exactly as we all hoped that it would be. I can’t wait for my Christmas break where I completely immerse myself further in the world of Hornet.
